Cincinnati Bearcats vs Alabama Crimson Tide Predictions, Picks, Odds, and NCAA Football Betting Preview | Cotton Bowl Classic December 31 2021

The Cincinnati Bearcats can shock the college football world with a win at the Cotton Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Of course, that’s going to be easier said than done, as Alabama has alw

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Betting Preview for the Cincinnati Bearcats vs Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31, 2021

Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington

When: Friday, December 31, 2021, 3:30 PM ET

Line: Cincinnati Bearcats (+13.5) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (-13.5) – view all 2021 NCAAF lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

Betting on the Cincinnati Bearcats (+13.5)

Record: 13-0 Overall / 8-0 Conference

Even though Cincinnati went 12-0 on their way to earning a ticket to the 2021 College Football Playoff semifinal showdown against the Crimson Tide, it still feels that Luke Fickell’s team has something to prove, especially to those who aren’t buying the Bearcats as a worthy CFP team. But being top 10 in both offense and defense plus wins, regardless of conference affiliation definitely deserves respect. That’s this season’s Bearcats, who enter the Cotton Bowl with an average of 39.0 points per game and a stop unit that is allowing only 16.8 points per contest. Cincinnati’s best wins thus far have been their 24-13 victory in South Bend against the then-no. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in October and a 35-20 triumph over the then-no. 21 Houston Cougars in the AAC Championship Game. Against Houston, Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder went 11/17 for 190 passing yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

Cincinnati is 5-0 against the spread in its last 5 games as an underdog.

Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (-13.5)

Record: 12-1 Overall / 7-1 Conference

Alabama is Alabama. Despite losing to the Texas A&M Aggies on the road back in October, the Crimson Tide still ended up as the top seed in the nation heading into the College Football Playoff, thanks to a hot stretch since that loss in College Station. After losing to Texas A&M, Alabama went 7-0 straight up, which includes its 41-24 win in the SEC title game against the Georgia Bulldogs. The win over the Bulldogs essentially reinforced what many people already knew – that the Crimson Tide are the best team in the nation, regardless of the team’s loss to Texas A&M. Bryce Young headlines Alabama’s offense that is churning out 42.1 points per contest, while the Crimson Tide’s defense can also definitely get things done, as they are allowing just 20.8 points per contest.

Alabama is 4-1 against the spread in its last 5 non-conference games.

Writer’s Prediction

Alabama wins, 40-20.

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